Multimorbidity and acute infectious diseases in urban and semi-urban settings in Peru: A mixed-methods study.

Background: The co-occurrence of chronic diseases and acute infectious events exacerbates disability and diminishes quality of life, yet research in Low- and Middle-Income countries is scarce. We aimed to investigate the relationship between infectious events and multimorbidity in resource-constrained settings. Methods: We conducted a sequential mixed-method study in Lima and Tumbes, Peru, with participants having multimorbidity from the CRONICAS Cohort Study. They completed a questionnaire on the occurrence, treatment, and health-seeking behaviour related to acute infectious events. Qualitative interviews explored the perceptions and links between multimorbidity and acute infectious events for a subgroup of participants. Findings: Among individuals with multimorbidity, low awareness of chronic conditions and poor medication adherence. The cumulative incidence for respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, the most reported acute conditions, was 2.0 [95%CI: 1.8-2.2] and 1.6 [1.2-1.9] events per person per year, respectively. Individuals with cancer (6.4 [1.6-11.2] events per person per year) or gastrointestinal reflux (7.2 [4.4-10.1] events per person per year) reported higher cumulative incidence of infectious events than others, such as those with cardiovascular and metabolic conditions (5.2 [4.6-5.8] events per person per year). Those with three or more chronic conditions had a slightly higher cumulative incidence compared with individuals with two conditions (5.7 [4.4-7.0] vs 5.0 [4.4-5.6] events per person per year). Around 40% of individuals with multimorbidity sought healthcare assistance, while others chose drugstores or didn't seek help. Our qualitative analysis showed diverse perceptions among participants regarding the connections between chronic and acute conditions. Those who recognized a connection emphasized the challenges in managing these interactions. Interpretation: Our study advances understanding of multimorbidity challenges in resource-limited settings, highlighting the impact of acute infections on patients' existing multimorbidity burden.

COVID-19's impact on type 1 diabetes management: A mixed-methods study exploring the Peruvian experience.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted health services, especially in low-and-middle-income countries, where care for chronic conditions such as diabetes was disrupted. Our study aims to describe the challenges faced by people living with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) to access care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. METHODS: A sequential explanatory mixed-method study was conducted between May and September 2020 including health professionals involved in T1DM care, people with T1DM and their caregivers. The study consisted of a quantitative strand to gather general information through electronic surveys and a qualitative strand that involved in-depth interviews. RESULTS: For the quantitative study, we included 105 people with T1DM, 50 caregivers and 76 health professionals. The qualitative study included a total of 31 interviews; 16 people with T1DM, 14 health care professionals, and one representative from the Peruvian Ministry of Health (MoH). People with T1DM faced difficulties accessing consultations, insulin, monitoring devices and laboratory testing during the pandemic. Different phases of the Peruvian health system response were found. Firstly, an initial informal response to addressing T1DM care during the pandemic characterised by local initiatives to ensure continuity of care for people with T1DM. Following from this, a formal response was implemented by the MoH which focussed on reinforcing the primary level of care. Measures included teleconsultations and delivery of medicines, although these were not implemented in all health care establishments. Throughout the pandemic patient associations played an important role in organising and helping to counteract the impact of COVID-19 on people with T1DM. CONCLUSIONS: The Peruvian health care system slowly adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic to provide care for people with T1DM. However, people with T1DM had difficulties to access care. Thus, reinforcement of interventions such as communication between levels of care, teleconsultations and delivery of medicines was urgently needed. Patient associations' capacity to respond should be considered by local authorities and civil society should be part of the health system response.

Child, Caregiver, and Health Care Provider Perspectives and Experiences Regarding Disclosure of HIV Status to Perinatally Infected Children in Lima, Peru.

BACKGROUND: Despite recommendations for disclosure of HIV status to children living with HIV (CLHIV), fewer than half of CLHIV at the Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño (INSN) in Lima, Peru, have had disclosure. How and when the disclosure process for CLHIV should take place in Peru has not been studied. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study at INSN to explore perceptions and experiences of 6 health care providers (HCPs), 14 disclosed and nondisclosed CLHIV (8-17 years), and their 14 caregivers regarding knowledge of illness, disclosure of HIV status, and appropriate disclosure approaches. RESULTS: Disclosed children wanted to be told their diagnosis earlier. Nondisclosed children expressed frustration taking medications. Caregivers and HCPs discussed motivations to disclose, including educating, honesty, improving medication adherence, and preventing secondary transmission. CONCLUSION: Culturally appropriate guidelines and training for HCPs and caregivers are needed to support disclosure of children's HIV status and ongoing support for CLHIV.

Potential point of care tests (POCTs) for maternal health in Peru, perspectives of pregnant women and their partners.

BACKGROUND: Globally, no qualitative studies have explored the perspectives of women and their partners about the integration of technology - and specifically diagnostic testing technologies - into antenatal care. The study objective was to describe the demand side for pregnancy-related diagnostic tests from the perspective of Peruvian consumers, including female and male community members, by engaging participants about their awareness of and care-seeking for pregnancy-related diagnostic tests and their preferred characteristics and testing conditions for pregnancy-related point-of-care diagnostic tests (POCTs). METHODS: Sixty-seven mothers and fathers of children under one from the peri-urban coast and the peri-urban and rural highlands and jungle of Peru participated in ten focus groups. RESULTS: Participants think that pregnancy-related diagnostic tests are important and they and their fellow community members are committed to ensuring that pregnant women receive the tests they need. Participants expressed clear demands for pregnancy-related POCTs, including important characteristics for the tests themselves (certification, rapid, reliable results) and for test implementation (well-trained, personable good communicators as test administrators at well-equipped, convenient testing sites). Participants emphasized the importance of short waiting times and explained that many people have some ability to pay for POCTs, particularly if they are innovative, rapid or multiplex. CONCLUSIONS: Engaging future POCT users as consumers who are able to make key decisions about the development and implementation of pregnancy-related POCTs is valuable and informative.

[Assessment of the structure, dynamics and monitoring of information systems for road traffic injuries in Peru--2009]. / Evaluación situacional, estructura, dinámica y monitoreo de los sistemas de información en accidentes de tránsito en el Perú--2009.

OBJECTIVE: A baseline assessment of the structure, dynamics, and monitoring capabilities of the information systems for road traffic injuries was conducted in three Peruvian cities: Lima, Huamanga and Pucallpa. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 50 in-depth interviews were performed with key stakeholders, including managers and operators of information systems. The instrument was developed taking into account international standards and recommendations for information systems. RESULTS: Six information systems were identified, some of which contain integrated operational systems enabling the recollection, processing, aggregation and data analysis following automated processes. These systems are considered valuable by different stakeholders because of their ability to present data in an organized manner. A low level of collaboration and exchange of information between institutions in the diverse aspects of data collection, processing and usage was observed. Officially, formal collaboration agreements between institutions do exist, potentially enabling more collaborative work. An interest was expressed in establishing an integrated information system due to the need for detailed and solid/trusted information that maximizes the use of existing resources. CONCLUSIONS: Current information systems for road traffic injuries have limitations. The actual use and utility of the information for decision-making for prevention of road traffic injuries nationwide is limited.

Evaluación situacional, estructura, dinámica y monitoreo de los sistemas de información en accidentes de tránsito en el Perú - 2009 / Assessment of the structure, dynamics and monitoring of information systems for road traffic injuries in Peru - 2009

Ojetivo: Con el objetivo de elaborar un diagnóstico situacional de las fuentes de información existentes relacionadas con el registro de accidentes de tránsito, así como conocer su estructura, dinámica y monitoreo, se realizó una investigación en las ciudades de Lima, Huamanga y Pucallpa. Materiales y métodos. Como población de estudio fueron considerados funcionarios y responsables de los sistemas de información de diversas instituciones. Se realizaron 50 entrevistas en profundidad. El instrumento usado tuvo en consideración estándares y recomendaciones internacionales de sistemas de información. Resultados. Se identificaron seis sistemas de información; algunos cuentan con sistemas operativos que permiten recolectar, procesar, consolidar y analizar los datos de forma automática. Estos sistemas son considerados valiosos por distintos actores, pues les permiten tener datos organizados. Se observó que existe un bajo nivel de colaboración e intercambio de datos entre las instituciones en las distintas fases del levantamiento y procesamiento de información, y el uso de los mismos. A nivel operativo existen alianzas formales entre las instituciones vinculadas con el tema que permitirían un trabajo conjunto. Existe un interés por parte de las instituciones de conformar un sistema integrado de información por la necesidad de contar con información con mayor detalle y fiable empleando la menor cantidad d e recursos. Conclusiones. Existen limitaciones en los sistemas de información en accidentes de tránsito existentes. La utilidad y uso de la información es limitada para la toma de decisiones en materia de prevención de los accidentes de tránsito a nivel nacional.

Objective: A baseline assessment of the structure, dynamics, and monitoring capabilities of the information systems for road traffic injuries was conducted in three Peruvian cities: Lima, Huamanga and Pucallpa. Material and methods. 50 in-depth interviews were performed with key stakeholders, including managers and operators of information systems. The instrument was developed taking into account international standards and recommendations for information systems. Results. Six information systems were identified, some of which contain integrated operational systems enabling the recollection, processing, aggregation and data analysis following automated processes. These systems are considered valuable by different stakeholders because of their ability to present data in an organized manner. A low level of collaboration and exchange of information between institutions in the diverse aspects of data collection, processing and usage was observed. Officially, formal collaboration agreements between institutions do exist, potentially enabling more collaborative work. An interest was expressed in establishing an integrated information system due to the need for detailed and solid/trusted information that maximizes the use of existing resources. Conclusions. Current information systems for road traffic injuries have limitations. The actual use and utility of the information for decision-making for prevention of road traffic injuries nation wide is limited.